Mail-distributing apparatus



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A. J. HWLIKG$ "MAIL DISTRIBU'I ING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23, 1915 1'? Sheets-Sheet 1 M. J. HIIG MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23,

'7 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 A. J. HWIIGIGifi MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 1'7 Sh ts-Sheet 4 Original FiledMay 23, 1915 m". um mwm A. J. BRKG GZ"?! MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS original Filed May 23,1915 l7 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. J. BWEGfifi MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 1'7 Sheerls-Sheei 6 Original Filed May 23,1913

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MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23 1915 17 Sheets-Sheet fiwu 4, mmrm A. J. BWGGfi MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 221913 17 Sheets-Sheet 8 t? anon V607,

A. J. BHIIGG$ MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May '25, 1915 l7 Sheets-Sheet 9 A. J. BRHGG$ MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23,1915 17 Sheets-Sheet l0 I Wiu'aesa as M. J. BRllfififi MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23, 1915 17 Sheets-Sheet AW mfmm A. J. wwmwfi MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 23, 191 17 Sheets-Sheet 13 p I a W M 1 T q i-53 EE5 l7 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 A. J. mmcms MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Origina l Filed m F w Z- -anlllm "w an [#90 J u a A. J. Bmwms MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed-May 23, 1915 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 AW. 4%,, W232 A. J. mmmm MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 25,1915

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mm. m; A. J. WWlGG MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Original Filed May 2:5, 1915 17 Sheets-Sheet l6- wwmaopeo A. J. BRIGGS MAIL DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS 17 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed May 25,1915

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. invention from nrerntnurnn, inn, UF'SY'UUSE,

.dppllcetion nee ey es, not, tieriel No.

the objects end nature of the invention will be reedily understood by those-skilled in the ert in the light of the following enplenetion oi the accompanying 'drewings illustrating whet I now believe to be the preferred embodiment, or mechenicel expression, oi my among other tormetions, er-

I rengements, constructions end combinetions ltd " provide im roved meens within the spirit end soope ot the invention.

do object ot the invention is to provide meil distributing epperetus wherein the letters, or other articles to be sorted or distributed, ere positively moved end directed trom the common source (the letter teed wey receiving the common pile of letters to he distrihutedlg to the points of destinetion, (the letter ones or other recept'ecles) end wherein the letters een be successively removed from seid common source es rep idly es the slrillof the operetor end the em tion oi the epperetus permits end passed on to the distributing meehenism tor delivery to the boxes without regerd to the number of letters previously delivered to seid distributing mechanism end then under the control thereot'end in course oi distribution thereby.

rt further-object otthe invention is to provide meil distributing epperetus wherein the letter homes or receptecles cen bev oompectly errenged in horizonte-lly-disposed superimsed rows tor'convenient removel of letters therefrom end to meintein economy in the use of velueble lioor sp end to tor "repidly end ethciently distributing the letters to such hoses trom trol of menuelly actuated meens predetermining the her to which eech letter isdell livered.

A further object of the invention is to Wtttltt. ltenewed duly it,

e common source under the con-' w roe, neurones. "in run euro t l t roe, n contorren or in nerii-nrsrurnnrrue rune.

eettertet tt'e. trneee.

provide improved meil distrihutingepperetus wherein continuously moving letter eonveying meens is employed to positively prope the letters to ell oil the hoses ole distrihutmg cese endto provide seid meens with series oi mechenisms tor ceusing delivery oi eeeh letter into the box to which it is predestined hy the opere'ton A further object of the invention is to provide improvedmeil distributing epperetus wherein e. continuously moving endless letdevice is errenged in the dister propelling tributing cese oil bones to eerry letters to ell of the bones therein, seid propelling device being cepehle ot' successively receiving letters et e common delivery point end otsuccessively moving seid letters torwerd one behind the other end speoed epert end oi deliverin, seid letters to boxes without regerd to t e order in which seid letters were received by seid propelling device, whereby seid propelling device et eny one time cen he simulteneously propelling e lerge number ot letters through the eese of bones.

it turther object of the invention is to provide e meil distributing epperetus with eomperetively simple. durehle end positively-opereting proved meens tor suc cessively deliveri letters trom e common source to distributing meens for delivering the letters to the predetermined bones oi e distributing or sorting cese.

it .t'urther object of the invention is to provide meil distributing epperetus wherein the distributing nose of letter boxes is provided with meens to convey letters to ell ot the bones ot' the wee end with devices to ceuse delivery ot eny letter into eny prede terminedbou ot such eese, seid meens com-. prising e series ot speced letter propelling elements continuously moving in succession too' means for conveying the same to the boxes of a distributing case, said means bein capable of simultaneously conveying a arge number of such letters and delivering to boxes without regard to the order in which the letters were delivered from the common source.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in construction, formation, arrangement and combination of parts and details whereby a highly efiicient and improved mail distributing apparatus will be produced.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and arrangement and in combinations as more fully and particularly set forth and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawingsz- Fig. 1, is a side elevation taken from the rear side of the apparatus, a portion of the distributing case being broken away, letters being shownheld by the various sets of letter holders of the rotatory 'turret at the various turret stopping points or stations, the selecting tumblers being shown in normal or inoperative positions, the gate operating and controlling means being also shown in normal ositions.

Fig. 2, is a corresponding elevation of the front side of the apparatus, a portion of the distributing case bein broken away.

Fig. 3, is a vertica longitudinal section through the distributing case, various parts ofthe apparatus being broken away, various gates being shown in open position to cause discharge of letters from the conveyer into the boxes controlled by such gates.

Fig 4, is a front end elevation of the upper front end portion of the apparatus, the parts being shown in their normal positions.

Fig. 5, is a top plan view of the upper rear end. corner portion (upper left hand portion of Fig. 3) of the distributing case, a letter being shown moving down between the curved end guide walls from the upper row of boxes to the next row below.

Fig. 6, is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6-6, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7, is a detail elevation of the turret and adjacent parts, taken from the front side of the apparatus, certain hidden parts being indicated by dotted lines, the turret being shown carrying letters and in anormal position having just come to rest after an operative stroke or step.

Fig. 8, is a detail elevation taken from the rear side of the apparatus and by dotted lines showing the suction separating device in various positions with respect to the turret and letter way or bed.

Fig. 9, is a detail perspective view of the separator suction nozzles, the hollow shaft or casin carrying the same and the controlling devices therefor.

Fig; 10, is a detail perspective of said hollow s aft or casing, the nozzles being broken y Fig. 11, 1s a deta1l perspective of the hollow slide valve shown removed from said casing.

Fig. 12, is a detail elevation of the upper rear corner of the distributing case taken from the rear side thereof, showing one box gate open, and set up tumblers of the set that actuated the opening means of said gate, restored to normal position by the depressed tumbler-returning arm of said gate.

Fig. 13, is a detail perspective showing portions of a pair of adjacent box gates, with the gate closing arm separated from the gate shaft, the gate locking latch being also shown separated from its co-operating parts.

Fig. 14, is a detail perspective of one of the letter pushers separated from the endless sprocket chains.

Fig. 15, is a detail perspective view showingthe operating means for a gate of an upper row of boxes and also the operating means of a box of the row immediately below, also showing a letter pusher and its box selecting tumblers set up to form the actuating combination for the operating means of said upper gate, showing said tumblers in the act of openin said box gate.

Fig. 16, is a etail perspective showing the 'endless-conveyer-driving connections at the lower corner of the front end of the apparatus, portions of the endless conveyer being shown.

Fig. 17, is a detail sectional view showing a portion of the endless conveyer and a pair of tracks for the wheels thereof, also showing one of a set of tumblers and the letter pusher end carrying the same, in section, dotted lines illustrating the tumbler in set up position.

Fig. 18, is a section through the rocking or operating means of a gate embodying three depressible contacts or levers, said section being taken in a plane at right angles to the gate shaft carrying said means.

Fig. 19, is a cross section through said means taken in the plane of the line 19-19, Fig. 18.

Fig. 19, shows a modification of the structure of Fig. 19.

Fig. 20, 1s a detail (more or less diagrammatical) perspective showing the driving and driven shafts and intervening clutch, the trip mechanism, several keys and their shafts, several vertically movable plates or frames actuated by said shafts and operative connections therefrom to said clutch, dotted lines indicating the cam groove for actuating the valve controlling the suction through the suction separating nozzles.

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taaaiat Fig. 211, is a detail perspective of the clutch pin and its controlling arm.

Fig. 21, is a detail sectional view of the clutch.

Fig. 22, is a detail pers ective showing a portion of the driven shat, the cams thereon for actuating the separatornozzles, for actuating the valve controlling the suction through said noaales, for actuating the lock for the setting up fingers, and for reciproeating the letter way or bed, the gearing for actuating the turret, the printing head or roll, its mounting and the driving gearing therefor, a portion of the letter way and the means for reciprocating the same, a setting up finger and an adjusting rock shaft therefor from a plate or frame moved by one or more key rock shafts, and the lock tor the setting up fingers and its controlling means.

1F ig. 23, is a detail perspective view of the printing head or roll.

Fig. 23, is a detail section showing the rockable mounting of the printing head.

Fig. 2a, is a detail vertical section showing portions of the setting up mechanism and endless conveyer and tumblers thereof, dotted lines indicating the position to which one or more fingers is or are adjusted by the depression of a. key, full lines showing the normal positions of the parts.

Fig. 25, is a detail section showing parts of the setting up mechanism and endless conveyer, a setting up finger being shown elevated to operative setting up position by the lock and thus held, a tumbler being shown in set up position as though thrown to that position by said setting up finger.

Fig. 26, is a detail horizontal section showing the setting up fingers and lock therefor apd the cam controlling the lock, in top H) Figs. 27 and 28, are detail views of the freely adjustable mouths of the suction noztill an endless continuously ales.

Fig. 29, is a detail perspective view of the letter way (with the longitudinal door and side wall thereof removed) and of certain parts that virtually form the letter discharge throat from saidway.

My invention involves in whole or in part, apparatus cessively separated from a common source or pile of letters by a periodically movable suction separator and thereby delivered to a turret rotating with a step by step motion, or periodical stroke, whereby at each stroke the turret pushes a letter up from the common pile,

presents a previously received letter at the inspection point where the operator can read the address thereof, and delivers another and previously inspected letter at a letter station to be taken up by a compartment of moving letter conwherein the letters are sucfaced up for distribution,

veyer consisting of an endless succession of letter compartments open at the top and bottom and successively passing said station and moving therefrom in succession over the open tops of every boa: of a distributing case of bones wherein the bones are arranged in superimposed horizontal rows with the open tops of the boxes normally covered by vertically swingable finger gates adapted to swing to opened position and direct letters from the compartments into the, bones. The gates form floors on which the letters in the traveling compartments slide, as the conveyer travels through the case along each row of bones andfrom one row to the next, letter guidevvays being provided at the ends of the rows and from each row to the next in succession.

A bank of keys or finger pieces is arranged at the front of the machine, each key corresponding to a bolt of the case. When the turret presents a letter at the inspection s ation, the operator presses a key corresponding to tlielbox'in which a letter so addressed should be deposited. The depression of thiskey throws certain mechanism into action to move the periodicallyoperating turret forward a. stroke to drop said letter at said letter station so that it will be taken up by a compartment, also to push a letter up from the common pile, also to present another letter to periodicallyoperating imprinting mechanism timed to operate in certain sequence with said turret, to present a previously imprinted letter at the inspection station, and to receive a letter from the periodicallypperated suction separator whi h is timed to operate in certam-sequence with said turret.

he depression of said key also operates means for determining the particular letter boa: into which the letter will be deposited from said compartment.

Each box gate is provided with gate opening means capable of being actuated through sets of devices carried by the conveyer to forcibly open said gates .by the forward movement of the conveyer. 'lhe conveyer provides a set of saiddevices for each letter compartment. lilach gate opening means requires its own peculiar set up or combination of said devices, in order to be actuated thereby, and hence a series of setting up elements is provided common to all of said sets of devices carried by the conveyer which devices successively pass by said setting up elements as the conveyer compartments corresponding to said sets of devices move successively into letter receiving position with respect to said letter station. When the hereinbefore mentioned key is depressed said elements are operated to adiust the devices of the set corresponding to the compartment receiving said letter, to present the particular set up or combination required to actuate lllll lllll its 

